This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Clinical Nurse duties: Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the care needs of a designated group of patients or provides nursing care and identified clinical support tasks within the scope of practice for achievement of the patient’s plan of care as directed.Provides professional nursing care to patients. Requires a nursing license. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.
This position is responsible for the development of a comprehensive breastfeeding service and will function as an expert in the field of breastfeeding.Knows and understands the philosophy, objectives, policies and procedures of Lactation Program and provides for their implementation. Participates in consultation, education, and research. The Lactation Consultant’s role will encompass the following areas: clinical practice, collaboration and consultation, staff education, leadership, and evidence-based practice.
1.Bachelors degree in Nursing.
2. Registered Nurse (RN) License.
3. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
4. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
5. Three (3) years of experiencean inpatient clinical setting.
Preferred Qualifications:
1.Five (5) years of experience in the care of breastfeeding mothers and babies, including level three neonates.
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listedbelow are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1.Serves as a clinical resource, consultant, and role model for staff providing breastfeeding support and education.
2. Provides breastfeeding support and expertise as needed to all departments.
3. Integrates knowledge, research findings, and experience to enhance breastfeeding practices.
4. Uses excellent clinical skills to provide ongoing assessment and evaluation of breastfeeding support and education.
5. Develops, monitors, and evaluates QI projects on a unit and/or hospital level using quality outcome indicators.
6. Serves on committees at the unit, hospital.
7. Validates and benchmarks within this specialty area.
8. Promotes clinical expertise using various methods such as networking, attending professional meetings, maintaining certification, and literature review.
9. Networks with peers for role development.
10. Networks with other Lifespan hospitals, tertiary, and quaternary systems within specialty organizations.
11. Collaborates/consults with affiliates in analysis of breastfeeding supplies and equipment and evaluates the impact of supply and equipment changes on the environment of care.
12. Consults with other members of the health care team on patient care, staff development, and practice issues.
13. Collaborates on an interdisciplinary basis to develop protocols, policies and procedures, and practice guidelines.
14. Collaborates with primary and associate nurses as well as other member of the health care team related to the patient plan of care.
15. Collaborates on a unit-by-unit basis to assist in the facilitation and development of orientation as pertains to breastfeeding.
16. Develops, implements, and evaluates breastfeeding competencies.
17. Assesses learning needs of staff and provides formal and informal educational opportunities to increase knowledge and improve care.
18. Utilizes teaching/learning theories to foster professional development of staff.
19. Serves as an educational/clinical resource and role model for the hospital community.
20. Mentors staffin their ongoing professional development relating to breastfeeding.
21. Evaluates current breastfeeding practice using national benchmarking.
22. Seeks out necessary resources available for staff development (e.g. programs, literature, forums).
23. Provides leadership for clinical care and quality patient outcomes relating to breast feeding.
24. Participates in identifying and achieving unit, departmental, and institutional goals.
25. Participates in the assessment and recommendation of educational resource allocation.
26. Critiques the research literature and assess potential for use in clinical practice.
27. Disseminates research findings to improve practice.Participates in research activities.
1. Prolonged standing and walking.
2. Occasional twisting, bending, reaching, pushing/pulling, sitting, kneeling, and squatting.
3. Exposure to infectious disease and possible carcinogenic chemicals.
4. Exposure of blood-borne pathogens.
5. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulations for performing procedures and computer keyboard.
6. Requires ability to see computer screen, reports, and perform assistance in procedures with accuracy.
7. Ability to hear well enough to interact with others and to detect audible alarms.
1.Knowledge of clinical breastfeeding issues common to the early postpartum period.
2. Experience with breastpump rentals and sales.
3.Good interpersonal and organizational skills.
4. Ability to work with detailed, confidential material.
5. Computer skills required.
